It is thought that stress is responsible for the loss of up to 13 million working days every year in the UK. It is also responsible for most visits to the doctor and most serious illnesses, according to the Health and Safety Executive. This means it’s clearly a major issue – so what can be done about it? Well, there are many options for dealing with stress… but have you ever considered what your bathroom might be able to for you?
Okay, so it might sound a bit mad, especially as we usually associate showers and bathrooms with practical functions rather than a place to bust stress. However, they have the potential to help us relax and unwind at the end of a long day and so it’s definitely worth giving some thought to the potential of using your bathroom to relieve stress.
Ideally, a long warm soak in the bath is the best option, but showers can be just as effective – which one you go for will naturally depend on what kind of bathroom furniture you have. If you use your shower to relieve stress, you may well find that the feel of water beating down on your shoulders helps to relieve tension and starts to relax you. Using a shower gel or body wash that also has relaxing properties can also be a good way to start relieving stress – lavender is a good option for this.
With any luck, you’ll step out of the shower feeling refreshed and happier. Sometimes even just taking five minutes for yourself to wash away the grime of the day can make a huge difference to how you’re feeling. However, if you’re able to get a longer period of time in which to indulge in a soak in the bath, it is definitely more than worth it.
One of the benefits of soaking in the bath is that you can create a calming atmosphere in the room before you even begin. For example, some people that aromatherapy candles help them to relax and the dimmed lighting can create a muted, calming atmosphere, which is often in stark contrast to the harsh lighting of the offices that often make us so stressed. Even the act of running a warm bubble bath can be soothing – again, lavender bubble bath is a nice option, but ginseng has also been shown to be very good at restoring balance within the body and helping people deal with stress, so if you can get hold of some ginseng products, it’s definitely worth it.
In the best case scenario, you’ll be able to take your bath in a quiet house without any interruptions – if you’re worried about being interrupted, however, you could consider playing relaxing music in the background. Classical music can be very soothing, and focusing on the sounds of the music can also help you to take your mind off whatever is bothering you.
Overall, a bath or a shower isn’t the only way to reduce your stress, but it’s certainly a very good way. It allows for a little bit of important ‘me time’ and the fact that most people have a lockable bathroom door that allows them to shut themselves away is also another plus.
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Maggie is the editor and writer for a number of websites, including this site. If you are an expert in your field, then how would you like to write this site? It's a great way to brand yourself in becoming an authority in your field.
January 28, 2012
Healthy Living